The name Dick Malone to any Sunderland fan should immediately conjure up images of the 1973 FA Cup-winning team. At 6ft, he was a slim and gangly defender who loved to attack. In my lifetime, along with Cecil Irwin, he was certainly one of the first attacking defenders who loved to overlap and get up and down the wings. And boy, did he put in a shift.
Richard Philip Malone was born in Carfin, Scotland, and started his senior career at Ayr United in 1964. He made 163 appearances for them until 1970,
when he was enticed south of the border to Sunderland AFC. ‘Tricky Dickie’ cost the club £30,000 and would eventually become a regular right-back in place of Cecil Irwin. He graced the Park for seven years, making a total of 275 appearances altogether, until he was sold to Hartlepool in 1977.
Malone was often branded a ‘buffoon’ during his early playing days, mainly because of his ridiculously – and now recognisable – long and loping runs down the right wing, which at times appeared to confuse himself as much as they did the opposition! But he quickly matured into a fine right-back and spent the bulk of his time at Roker Park as a huge crowd favourite.
I vaguely remember he had a chant – ‘Oh Tricky Dickie down the wing’ – or something like that! I also remember a song about him to the tune of Sweet Molly Malone being sung, but I can’t remember the words.
But for sure, he had such a unique style. When we went out to play football and ‘impersonate’ certain players, Dick Malone would be in our repertoire, such was his loping style!
He had never been injured in all his time in the Scottish leagues, but after playing 50 minutes on his debut, he got injured for us! After regaining full fitness, though, he became a fixture in the starting XI and, of course, in that wonderful Cup-winning team.
He was quoted as saying that the Scottish League was much more competitive in his younger days – but as we entered the 1970s, it became the turgid affair it quite often is these days.
That heady Cup Final win, by his own admission, was his finest memory – indeed, some think that it was perhaps the best performance he ever made in a Sunderland shirt. He kept Leeds’ flying winger Eddie Gray out of the game so effectively that he was eventually substituted.
‘Superdick’, as he was occasionally named, was a retort to the Mags’ ‘Supermac’. His overlap play was effective, not only because it got him beyond the opponents’ back line, but because his crossing was often very accurate. He only scored two goals for the Black Cats, but they were both collectors’ items!
He eventually lost his place in the 1976-77 season, which ended in relegation. After a year with Hartlepool, he rejoined forces with Bob Stokoe at Blackpool.
In later life, he worked for haulage firm TNT and would often chat to one of my brothers, who worked in a depot. Our Denis would often comment on what a lovely chap he was – kind, respectful and full of humility.
He is still a regular visitor to the Stadium of Light, and long may that continue.
So, thanks for some fantastic memories, and many happy returns of the day, Dick.
